Hamilton High School (Bandon) had three points to spare over a fancied St. Colman’s side in the Dean Ryan Cup Under 16 A HC at Church Road yesterday. It was an unusual game in the side that played against the very strong wind did best in both halves.

St. Colman’s, wind assisted in the opening period got off to a flying start with Patrick Sheehan and Darragh O’Flynn combining for Michael Sheehan to goal in the first minute. Darragh O’Flynn followed with a pointed free. Gradually High School found their way. They were solid in the half backline with Richard O’Sullivan outstanding. O’Sullivan pointed two frees with Ciaran McCarthy landing a very good point by the 13th minute. Jake Carr pointed two frees for St Colman’s with Ciaran McCarthy with another keeping the Carbery side in touch. In the 21st minute Eoin Crowley goaled for Bandon. St. Colman’s had some wides but late points by Jake Carr, Michael and Pat Sheehan had the Fermoy side 1-9 to 2-4 clear at the break. Bandon’s second goal by James Crowley came in the 3lst minute.

Hamilton High School started well on the resumption. Richard O’Sullivan pointed an early free. They had a number of wides. Points for St. Colman’s by Jake Carr (free) and Edmund Cashman opened up a three-point lead 1-11 to 2-5. Colman’s keeper Colm McCarthy saved well from Colm O’Donovan. Hamilton High School forced level in the 4lst minute when Richard Murphy put Ciaran McCarthy in for a well taken goal. They edged ahead when Colm O’Donovan pointed. Jacob O’Driscoll soloed through but was denied a goal by a vital interception by Sean Sugrue. Both sides were off target before a foul on Darragh O’Flynn led to the same player edging Colman’s ahead. Good play by Dylan Collins led to a fine point by Pat Sheehan as Colman’s moved 1-13 to 3-6 clear after 52 minutes.

Bandon made a vital move bringing Brian McCarthy to midfield with Conor Twomey going to the full backline. In the 58th minute they won a vital sideline ball in midfield. The cut by Richard O’Sullivan found Jacob O’Driscoll who parted to Ciaran McCarthy who goaled from close range 4-6 to 1-13. In injury time a pointed free by Ciaran McCarthy ensured a win and a quarter final meeting with Nenagh CBS.